In this special bonus episode, Marathon Handbook editor-at-large, Boston Marathon winner and respected author Amby Burfoot discusses his op-ed on the site about his skepticism of the world record performance by Ruth Chepngetich at the 2024 Chicago Marathon. 

His main concern: that fans of the sport, including himself, have grown cynical of extreme outlier performances, and that this cynicism is going to irreparably damage running, especially women's participation in the marathon over time.

It should be made clear: Ruth Chepntegich has never failed a doping test, and the world record has not yet been ratified by World Athletics, the global governing body of the sport.

He highlights the lack of transparency in athletics, particularly in women's running, and the need for institutional reform to ensure the integrity of the sport. The hosts analyze the data behind Chepngetich's record-breaking run and compare it to world record performances in other athletics events in history. They call for increased accountability among stakeholders in the marathon running community, including shoe brands, World Athletics, the World Marathon Majors race organizers, and the agents and coaches working with elite marathoners today.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the World Record Controversy
01:44 Skepticism Surrounding Ruth Chepngetich's Performance
08:34 Comparative Analysis with Other Events
13:55 Examining the Data Behind the Record
20:21 The Need for Transparency in Athletics
26:45 Call for Institutional Reform in Marathon Running

This podcast originally appeared on our YouTube feed in video format. Watch it here:
https://youtu.be/Y9rf0D2pvJM

Show Notes:

Read Amby's op-ed:
https://marathonhandbook.com/opinion-why-its-hard-to-trust-ruth-chepngetichs-marathon-world-record/

Watch Chepngetich's world record finish in Chicago:
https://marathonhandbook.com/ruth-chepngetich-chicago-world-record/

WATCH: Ruth Chepngetich Sets World Record At Chicago Marathon And Becomes The First Woman To Break 2:10:
https://marathonhandbook.com/ruth-chepngetich-chicago-world-record/

More on the doping crisis in Kenyan athletics:
https://apnews.com/article/kenya-doping-track-field-worlds-2358ed10c5016bba7eadc6024034afde

The Kenyan government cuts funding to anti-doping controls in the country:
https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/athletics/why-adak-funding-cut-spells-doom-for-kenyan-athletes-4768630

Our Live Updates from the 2024 Chicago Marathon:
https://marathonhandbook.com/live-updates-2024-chicago-marathon/

Here’s What Nike’s Exclusive Chicago Marathon In-store Pop Up Looked Like:
https://marathonhandbook.com/nike-designed-by-you-chicago-marathon-pop-up/

The Best Gear of the 2024 Chicago Marathon Expo:
https://marathonhandbook.com/the-best-gear-of-the-2024-chicago-marathon-expo/

Our free marathon training plans:
https://marathonhandbook.com/trainingplans/marathon-training-plans/

Hosts: Alex Cyr, Katelyn Tocci, Michael Doyle

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Thumbnail photo: Chicago Marathon/Kevin Morris/MH illustration